CORPORATE OPERATORS TAKING OVER LANDMARK

Over the years, area residents in need of a gas fill- up, a shovel, shoelaces, taco sauce, a light bulb or sliced cold cuts shopped at the Tylerville General Store.

Take Joe Nolan, for instance. When Nolan needed a lottery ticket and a smile he trekked to 1618 Saybrook Road.

So the 78-year-old Nolan is among the many customers saddened by news that the local landmark is changing hands Wednesday.

Ed and Patty Veselak, who have operated the business since 1978, are planning a long-anticipated vacation, something that's practically impossible when your business is open from morning to night seven days a week.

The Getty Petroleum Corp. will lease the 3,000-square-foot store and its gas pumps from the Veselaks beginning Thursday. The corporation promises to sustain the store.

Steve Rocco, chairman of the Haddam division of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce, said he hopes the new operators are as personable as the Veselaks and their employees. He said he's keeping an open mind as the family business is handed over to corporate operators.

Nolan said he will miss the familiar faces, such as identical twins Keith and Kenny Krzeminski, who have worked at the store since they were in high school. Keith started in 1983, his brother followed him in '84.

"They had everything there, and they were friendly, very friendly," Nolan said.

The Veselaks cherish their loyal customers, but they began craving a respite in recent years. The desire to travel, spend more time with family and tackle new challenges contributed to their decision to close.

"It's time to move on, but I'll miss it. The customers are all our friends and neighbors," Ed Veselak said.

Close to two decades ago, the East Haddam residents realized their dream to own the business. That dream had been whetted when Ed Veselak, an eager but unsalaried 12-year-old, began pumping gas for an uncle.

Despite the lack of wages, the youngster loved the perks, especially the chance to tinker with a 1951 Hudson Pacemaker. Only as a high school student did he leap to a wage of $2 per hour.

After four years in the Air Force, followed by three years as a mechanic for a Chevy dealership, Ed Veselak purchased the enterprise in 1978 after his uncle decided to retire from the gas station/repair shop built in 1954.

"It was just a childhood dream," said Ed Veselak, 45, who continued his livelihood working on autos until 1988. It was then the couple decided to convert the garage space into an old-fashioned general store, reasoning that a shop featuring a smorgasbord of goods would attract customers who could avoid schlepping to Deep River or Higganum.

"Everything is in here," said Patty Veselak, 40. "You name it. Anything from plumbing supplies to electrical supplies or spices."

Owning your own shop is rewarding, the family members say, though it can be overwhelming when you have to staff a business weekdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Working for the Veselaks has been enjoyable for the Krzeminskis, who have perplexed customers for years.

"Most people, before finding out we were twins, thought one of us worked 80 hours a week. We were here constantly," Keith Krzeminski said.

"Usually they ask if you are Keith or Kenny. When they'll hazard a guess, most of the time they are incorrect," said Keith Krzeminski . . . or was that Kenny?

Patty Veselak isn't sure how her husband will adapt to sleeping in.

"Ed is here 5:30 every morning, about 15 to 16 hours a day," she said. "He's always been an workaholic. . . . We'll see."